HELENA — Six Helena-area churches have exceeded their fundraising goal to help ensure local children facing food insecurity have access to nutritious food on weekends.
Our Redeemer’s Lutheran, New Life Lutheran, St. John’s Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Plymouth Congregation, and St. Peter’s Episcopal presented Helena Food Share with a donation on Tuesday after raising $31,000 for the nonprofit's Kid Pack program. Organizers had initially set a goal of $25,000, enough to cover all of the milk included in Kid Packs for the 2026-27 school year.
According to Linda Nelson of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church's Hunger Team, this year's campaign outperformed last year's effort and nearly doubled the number of participating faith communities. Three churches participated in the fundraiser a year ago, while six churches joined the effort this year.
The partnership between local churches and Helena Food Share has grown significantly over time. Nelson said Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church began supporting the initiative approximately 13 to 14 years ago, contributing about $5,000 during its first year. Since then, both participation and fundraising totals have steadily increased.
The Kid Pack program provides kid-friendly food packs to children at risk of hunger throughout Helena, East Helena, Boulder, Basin, Canyon Creek, Clancy and Lincoln. The packs are distributed through local schools and help provide weekend nutrition when students are away from school meal programs.
What began in five Helena schools in 2014 has expanded to 25 schools and preschools across the region. Depending on the week and school schedules, between 1,000 and 1,100 students receive Kid Packs. In 2025, Helena Food Share delivered 41,090 packs to children and families in need.
